DClinPsy Portfolio Volume 1 of 3 - University of Hertfordshire ...

Conclusion
This study found that inflexible emotional processing from an Acceptance and
Commitment Therapy (ACT) perspective was significantly higher in the high Eating
Disorder Risk (EDR) group as compared to moderate and low EDR groups. Those with a
higher acceptance of body image (from an ACT perspective) displayed less inflexible
emotional processing. The low EDR group was found to have a higher body image
acceptance than the moderate and high risk groups. Furthermore, as regards mood, a
significant mean difference in depression between the Body Mass Index (BMI) groups
was found such that the underweight BMI group had higher rates of depression. This is
difficult to explain and needs to be considered further. Inflexibility was also associated
with higher scores on depression and anxiety as was predicted, further supporting its
transdiagnostic significance.
Therefore inflexibility was found to be higher in those with a higher eating disorder risk,
higher rates of depression and anxiety as well as those with a less accepting stance
towards their body image. There was also a negative association found between
depression and anxiety and acceptance of body image. The results of this study support
the ACT theory that states that inflexible emotional processing which includes cognitive
fusion and experiential avoidance is associated with psychopathology including that of
mood disturbance and eating pathology. This study is a cross sectional design and so
cannot make firm conclusions about cause and effect and does not allow one to follow
the progression of a disorder. This study offers support for ACT which needs to be
evaluated in comparison to other approaches as regards the prevention and/or treatment
of the eating disorders and associated problems.
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